Bledisloe 3
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Never felt good while watching that game. Even the haka seemed a bit forced. Will force myself to watch recording but initial thoughts:
Oz stood up to us in the tight. Whitelock is exceptional when paired with a power lock. Barrett (S) doesn't seem to fit the bill. Not helped by also being short of the power Franks and Moody provide. Would make more sense for Pat T to start.
We seemed to miss go forward up front. Cane made lots of tackles, often strong, but seemed a bit off to me. Squire wasn't able to impose himself the way JK usually did. Aussie trio seemed to get us off balance. Tui very good once he came on at getting some momentum.
Midfield not working. SBW2017 does get us some reliable yards, but 18m from 11 carries isn't setting world on fire. Did his tackling duties well. Crotty doesn't seem much of a foil for SBW2017. Even Moala seemed to offer more threat at Blues. Someone needs to be running lines off SBW to feed off his offloading.
Lima shocking intercept, but for most of first half seemed to get us into the right parts of the park. Need to watch the tape to try and see what changed in second.
Overall our kicking made us metres, but stats suggest Oz made it all back through running. Subject to tape, expect our kicks mainly lacked contestability (if that's a real word).
Steve says he didn't see niggle, but Oz sledging/windup definitely corresponded to a lot of AB hotheadedness.
Last, but maybe most significant, the last quarter is no longer a strength. We did turn up intensity after third Oz try, but we appeared to get overexcited. We had too many callow faces on the field at the end. Thomas/DMac is not a combo one would bet the farm on in squeaky bum time. But Crotty is a tried and tested vet. ALB for SBW would have made more sense.
Not looking forward to the recording...!
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@gunner said in BLEDISLOE 3:
Just watched it, and fuck me that was the dumbest most stupid attacking play I’ve seen from the ABs in a long time.
Shovelling shit ball backwards and sideways, aimless kicking, giving away really dumb penalties while on attack. And that fucking kick from Havilli when you need a try with 4 minutes to play and you’re attacking inside the 22.
What happened to the pick and go after they used it to create the space for our first try - it was unsighted again.
And just errors at crucial times killed our chances in that game.DMac’s decision making was poor at the back and really put us under pressure.
They say defence wins matches, and the physicality we defended with should have been enough to get the job done with just a little bit of smart play. But unfortunately we so so fucking clueless when we had the ball that impressive defence was neutralised.
Wasn't it SBW rather than Havili ?
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One of the problems in attack last night was that they just crowded Sonny Bill because Lima was not really attacking the line.
With Barrett at 10 the opposition are weary of his running and short kicking game that it gives our midfield more space.
I remember a test that the Wallabies played under Deans and they did the same thing to Nonu. Carter was out and we had an inexperienced 10 playing. Wallabies won that one as well.
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@nostrildamus said in BLEDISLOE 3:
@stargazer ok missed that. I usually notice Savea on the field, must have been half asleep!
How could you miss him? Did you not see that last lineout?
The guy won a lineout without even jumping. Who needs lifters when you have Ardie.. -
@mimic said in BLEDISLOE 3:
@nostrildamus said in BLEDISLOE 3:
@stargazer ok missed that. I usually notice Savea on the field, must have been half asleep!
How could you miss him? Did you not see that last lineout?
The guy won a lineout without even jumping. Who needs lifters when you have Ardie..That was a quality play. We got the maul setup well. Just didn’t execute at the end. Cane had a good game but he was tired physically and that probably contributed to him knocking on.
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@mimic said in BLEDISLOE 3:
@nostrildamus said in BLEDISLOE 3:
@stargazer ok missed that. I usually notice Savea on the field, must have been half asleep!
How could you miss him? Did you not see that last lineout?
The guy won a lineout without even jumping. Who needs lifters when you have Ardie..Hmm ok, I guess I will have to watch again, my attention was diverted by some of the words being uttered at the end of the match...
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@pakman said in BLEDISLOE 3:
Never felt good while watching that game. Even the haka seemed a bit forced. Will force myself to watch recording but initial thoughts:
Oz stood up to us in the tight. Whitelock is exceptional when paired with a power lock. Barrett (S) doesn't seem to fit the bill. Not helped by also being short of the power Franks and Moody provide. Would make more sense for Pat T to start.
We seemed to miss go forward up front. Cane made lots of tackles, often strong, but seemed a bit off to me. Squire wasn't able to impose himself the way JK usually did. Aussie trio seemed to get us off balance. Tui very good once he came on at getting some momentum.
Midfield not working. SBW2017 does get us some reliable yards, but 18m from 11 carries isn't setting world on fire. Did his tackling duties well. Crotty doesn't seem much of a foil for SBW2017. Even Moala seemed to offer more threat at Blues. Someone needs to be running lines off SBW to feed off his offloading.
Lima shocking intercept, but for most of first half seemed to get us into the right parts of the park. Need to watch the tape to try and see what changed in second.
Overall our kicking made us metres, but stats suggest Oz made it all back through running. Subject to tape, expect our kicks mainly lacked contestability (if that's a real word).
Steve says he didn't see niggle, but Oz sledging/windup definitely corresponded to a lot of AB hotheadedness.
Last, but maybe most significant, the last quarter is no longer a strength. We did turn up intensity after third Oz try, but we appeared to get overexcited. We had too many callow faces on the field at the end. Thomas/DMac is not a combo one would bet the farm on in squeaky bum time. But Crotty is a tried and tested vet. ALB for SBW would have made more sense.
Not looking forward to the recording...!
Now watched H2 tape. ABs need to give themselves enormous uppercut.
We thrive on tempo and momentum. Forget the above comments: we simply stuffed ourselves with seven stupid penalties from 50th to 63rd, at least a couple completely off the ball and killing our momentum, and culminating with Hodge penalty for 20-13.
Made worse by (only) a couple of down the gullet kicks, Lima & DMac one each, and several dropsies.
No change from several lineouts in Wallabies red zones. Really paid for DMac at 10 in last ten when from penalties and handy angles we couldn't get the ball within 10m of Wallabies line.
Worst offense at 75:30 when had them under the pump and SBW (after some magic for the Rieko try) chose the worst grubber option I can remember seeing. Kick to DMac, Ofa sashay and Hodge makes it 23-18 -- when ABs holding the ball and working through phases was heading for points (three to win)!!!
I don't think Lima was bad in second: he only touched the ball four times or so.
ALB/Crotty switch made no difference although Havilli pass to SBW, before Ioane try was weighted beautifully, allowing him an extra half second to work his spell.
Will be an uncomfortable video session today. Topic -- Self-inflicted Wounds.
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I haven't watched a replay , but the sbw grubber was a momentum killer , I actually still thought we would pinch the game just before that .
Was a Luke Mcallister moment
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I watched this recovering from a cracking hangover and it didn't make me feel any better. From the moment I saw Lima shovel a looping pass into the hands of an Aussie I knew it would be a long day in the office. It was certainly a "learning experience" for him.
DMac had a predictably average game in wet weather; unable to secure ball, inject himself or kick to relieve pressure. The coaches need a bullet for thinking he'd be capable of covering for Sopoaga. As soon as Jordie is fit and BFA is back, he'll be lucky to be in the squad.
Crotty had a game to forget. Squires was quiet. The bench didn't offer a lot.
We defended poorly (28 missed tackles) which is a major problem when you're providing the opposition so much possession which permitted the Wallabies to make 50% more runs. We were lucky to be in front at half time thanks to the amount of handling errors the Wallabies had.
The Wallabies really should have done better. I get they're pleased with getting a win, but it reminded me of their excitement in Hong Kong. We'll see how their tour north goes - they really should win three from four given who they're playing.
And anyone who thinks SBW had a poor day should really stop commenting on rugby.
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@antipodean said in BLEDISLOE 3:
The Wallabies really should have done better. I get they're pleased with getting a win, but it reminded me of their excitement in Hong Kong.
This occurred to me as well. Hong Kong was a so-called 'drought breaker' which we all got really excited about, but in hindsight was a false dawn.
That said, considering where we were just a few months ago the progress is great to see. Cheika's comments have suggested he's staying pretty grounded, and I hope he imparts that on the players.
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@barbarian said in BLEDISLOE 3:
@antipodean said in BLEDISLOE 3:
The Wallabies really should have done better. I get they're pleased with getting a win, but it reminded me of their excitement in Hong Kong.
This occurred to me as well. Hong Kong was a so-called 'drought breaker' which we all got really excited about, but in hindsight was a false dawn.
That said, considering where we were just a few months ago the progress is great to see. Cheika's comments have suggested he's staying pretty grounded, and I hope he imparts that on the players.
Agreed - the difference in execution and "hunger" from the inbound tour is obvious. I think the selectors have finally got the balance right too with some good raw young talent they can mold.
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@winger said in BLEDISLOE 3:
Maybe the selectors need to have a good look at Garden Bachop.
It’s officially comedy hour....
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@barbarian said in BLEDISLOE 3:
A Wallaby loss would have been heartbreaking, more so than Dunedin. Because the ABs played well in Dunedin. In Brisbane they were undermanned and off their game, and you just can't let a chance like that slip away.
I agree 100%
There was a lot of credit given to the Wibs for keeping Dunedin close.
That was bullshit
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@booboo said in BLEDISLOE 3:
@barbarian said in BLEDISLOE 3:
A Wallaby loss would have been heartbreaking, more so than Dunedin. Because the ABs played well in Dunedin. In Brisbane they were undermanned and off their game, and you just can't let a chance like that slip away.
I agree 100%
There was a lot of credit given to the Wibs for keeping Dunedin close.
That was bullshit
Not sure I finished my point there ... must have still been half asleep.
Meant to add Wobs were doninated in Dunners. Tgey hust kept the score close on the back of some early luck.
Saturday they were easily the better team.
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@booboo said in BLEDISLOE 3:
Meant to add Wobs were doninated in Dunners. Tgey hust kept the score close on the back of some early luck.
I think you're saying we dominated them like a North Shore mistress in a dungeon. I agree. Give away an early lead, and it's hard to get back.
Our attack this year has been a bit haphazard too - if it clicks, we're away, if not, we're struggling. See Lions Test 3, and South Africa and Aus away. It feels like we aren't the offensive weapon we used to be (50 points on SA notwithstanding)
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@booboo said in BLEDISLOE 3:
Meant to add Wobs were doninated in Dunners. Tgey hust kept the score close on the back of some early luck.
I think you're saying we dominated them like a North Shore mistress in a dungeon. I agree. Give away an early lead, and it's hard to get back.
Our attack this year has been a bit haphazard too - if it clicks, we're away, if not, we're struggling. See Lions Test 3, and South Africa and Aus away. It feels like we aren't the offensive weapon we used to be (50 points on SA notwithstanding)
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That's been your game plan the last few years tho. Don't play with the ball, let the opposition fuck up and cut loose on turnover.
If the opposition defend well (e.g. Lions), that kind of goes to pot.
The territory game wasn't the wrong idea on Saturday, just you didn't do it well enough.
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@nta I think some of the ball in hand attack on the weekend deserves criticism.
Playing more off 9 (like in Lions Test 1), pick and goes etc were not used
Fancy backline moves were used (which led directly to Hodge's opening try) when the conditions called for keep it simple stupid.
